Texas Tech Transfer Quarterback Granted Temporary Injunction; Will Play in 2026

LUBBOCK, TX— Texas Tech’s star quarterback will play this season after having been ruled ineligible. 

Brendan Sorsby, the quarterback that transferred to Texas Tech from Cincinnati, has been granted a temporary injunction by a judge against the NCAA and is eligible to play football this coming season for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Texas Tech's AD Kirby Hocutt made a statement about the injunction on Monday morning.

"As we have said before, we do not believe that the circumstances of Brendan’s case warranted permanent ineligibility," Hocutt said. "As he returns to our football program, we remain committed to supporting Brendan's recovery and ensuring his compliance with the court’s order. A comprehensive support structure, including clinical care, monitoring, and compliance checks, will remain fully in place for the duration of Brendan’s time as a student at Texas Tech.”

Sorsby, who played at Indiana and Cincinnati, admitted to placing bets while playing college football. In early 2026, an investigation was conducted by the NCAA, and they concluded that Sorsby had violated gambling rules. This made him ineligible for the coming season after he had transferred to Texas Tech. 

Sorsby entered a treatment program after discovering anxiety and gambling disorders. 

On May 19, 2026, he filed a lawsuit against the NCAA saying they failed to appropriately address his addiction, leading him to file for an injunction. 

On June 8, 2026, Judge Ken Curry granted Sorsby a temporary injunction, but he will still sit out the first two games of the season. 

The NCAA can appeal the decision, and the case is still ongoing. 

ESPN had Sorsby as the top quarterback in the transfer portal. Last season for Cincinnati, he threw for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions while adding 580 yards and 9 touchdowns on the ground. For his college career, Sorsby has thrown for 7,208 yards, 60 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions.

While at Cincinnati, Sorsby was a second-team All-Big 12 quarterback and Texas Tech reportedly paid around $5 million for the signal caller. As far as the gambling goes, the NCAA said Sorsby placed thousands of bets and spent around $90,000 gambling on more than just football. 

Texas Tech had one of, if not their best, season last year winning their first Big 12 title, making their first college football playoff appearance, had a program record 12 wins, and one of the NCAA’s best defenses. 

The Red Raiders have high expectations this season to top last season. Should he return, Sorsby will have former 5-star wide receiver Micah Hudson, former Stephenville wide receiver Coy Eakins, and Pittsburgh transfer Kenny Johnson to throw to. Texas Tech will have a strong backfield returning this season. Cameron Dickey and J'Koby Williams both return, and former USC Trojan running back Quinten Joyner hopes to make an impact after a torn ACL last August sidelined him for the entire season. 

Defensively, Texas Tech did lose several key defenders like David Bailey, Jacob Rodriguez, Lee Hunter, and Romello Height. Former Houston Cougar A.J. Holmes Jr., former San Diego State linebacker Trey White, and Mikal Harrison-Pilot in the secondary. For now, the Red Raider offense will have to wait for Week 3 against the Houston Cougars.